The Masters 2026: How to Watch Augusta on UK TV

The Masters 2026: Complete UK Viewing Guide

The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club is the first major of the golf year and widely regarded as the most prestigious event in the sport. In 2026, the tournament runs from Thursday 9 April to Sunday 12 April, with the traditional Par 3 Contest on Wednesday 8 April. For UK viewers, all four rounds are available to watch live, and this guide tells you exactly where to find it.

You can also check our golf fixtures page for live coverage listings on the day.

Where to Watch the Masters in the UK

The Masters is broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports. Sky Sports Golf carries the primary coverage, with extended highlights and additional programming on Sky Sports Main Event. There is no free-to-air broadcast of the Masters in the UK; a Sky Sports subscription or a streaming day pass is required to watch live.

Platform	Channel	Coverage
Sky Sports	Sky Sports Golf / Sky Sports Main Event	All four rounds, live and on demand
Sky Go	Sky Sports Golf	Live streaming for Sky subscribers
NOW TV	Sky Sports Day Pass or Month Pass	No contract streaming option

A Sky Sports Day Pass via NOW TV currently costs around £14.99 and gives you access to all Sky Sports channels for 24 hours. A Month Pass offers better value if you plan to watch across the full four-day tournament. Prices are subject to change; check the NOW TV website ↗ for current pricing.

UK Broadcast Times for Each Round

Augusta National is five hours behind UK time (GMT+1 during British Summer Time). This means morning play in the US (8am local) starts at 1pm in the UK. The later afternoon sessions, which are usually the most dramatic, fall in the UK evening.

Round	Date	UK Coverage Starts (approximate)	UK Prime Time Coverage
Round 1	Thursday 9 April	From 1:00pm	Late afternoon into evening
Round 2	Friday 10 April	From 1:00pm	Late afternoon into evening
Round 3 (Moving Day)	Saturday 11 April	From 1:00pm	Evening (cut to leaderboard)
Final Round	Sunday 12 April	From 1:00pm	Evening finish, green jacket ceremony

Sky Sports typically runs extended Masters coverage from around 1pm each day, increasing in intensity as the afternoon leaders make their way through Amen Corner and down the stretch. Confirm exact broadcast times on the Sky Sports app or TV guide as the tournament approaches.

The Par 3 Contest: Wednesday 8 April

The Par 3 Contest on the Wednesday before the tournament is a beloved Augusta tradition. Players compete on a nine-hole par-3 course with family members as caddies. It is light-hearted and entertaining, but notably, no player who has won the Par 3 Contest has gone on to win the Masters in the same year. Sky Sports usually carries this as part of its build-up coverage.

Augusta National: What Makes It Special

Augusta National is a private members club that opens to the world once a year for the Masters. The course was designed by Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones and opened in 1932. Its defining features include:

• Amen Corner: Holes 11, 12, and 13, where tournaments are regularly won and lost. The par-3 12th over Rae's Creek is the most famous and most treacherous short hole in major golf.
• The par-5 15th: A risk-reward second shot over water that invites eagles and punishes the greedy.
• The 18th: An uphill par-4 finishing hole with a final green surrounded by spectators that creates one of the most dramatic closing scenes in sport.
• Speed and slope on the greens: Augusta's putting surfaces are among the fastest in professional golf. Three-putts from seemingly straightforward positions are common even among world-class players.

The Green Jacket Tradition

The winner of the Masters is presented with a green jacket, a tradition that began in 1949. The defending champion places the jacket on the new champion in a ceremony after the final round. Previous champions store their jackets at Augusta National and can wear them on the grounds. The green jacket is one of the most recognisable symbols in sport.

UK Viewing Tips

A few things worth knowing before you settle in to watch:

• The Sunday finish can run late. Depending on pace of play and weather delays, the final round sometimes extends beyond 9pm UK time. If you are watching with young children, a highlights package may be more practical.
• Sky Sports commentary team for the Masters typically includes European Tour and Ryder Cup veterans who provide strong course knowledge and historical context. The coverage quality is generally excellent.
• Augusta National controls its own broadcast feed to a greater degree than most tournaments. The Masters broadcast is known for its particular aesthetic, minimal on-screen clutter, and deliberate pacing.
• Check your recordings. If you are recording rather than watching live, allow an extra hour for potential overruns, particularly on Saturday and Sunday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Masters on free-to-air TV in the UK?

No. The Masters is exclusively on Sky Sports in the UK. There is no BBC or ITV coverage. A NOW TV Day Pass is the most flexible option for non-Sky subscribers wanting to watch without a long-term commitment.

Can I watch the Masters highlights for free?

The Masters tournament uploads its own highlight packages to its official YouTube channel and website, typically within a few hours of each round finishing. These are free to watch and include the key moments from each day.

What time does the final round start in the UK?

The final round tee-off begins in the morning US Eastern time, which translates to approximately 1pm to 2pm UK time for the first groups. The leaders, going out last, typically tee off in the mid-afternoon US time, reaching the back nine from around 8pm to 9pm UK time.

Will there be a Masters radio commentary in the UK?

talkSPORT and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra sometimes carry golf commentary during major tournaments. Check schedules closer to the event for the latest arrangements.